Dental Therapist
Dental therapists examine and provide routine treatment of teeth under the general supervision of dentists. They also help to promote preventive dental practices among school children and the broader community.
Dental therapists may perform the following tasks:
- educate and motivate children to maintain good oral health
- help to educate the community in the principles of preventive dentistry by addressing adult groups such as parents' groups, play groups and parents and citizens' associations
- provide routine dental treatment for children, including dental examinations and diagnosis, cleaning, scaling and polishing teeth, filling cavities and extracting deciduous (baby) teeth under local anaesthetic
- treat gum conditions, take X-rays of teeth and jaws, apply sealants and fluoride therapy, and take impressions for mouth-guard construction
- bring more complex dental problems to the attention of dentists
- advise managers of school canteens about healthy food
- liaise with other health care providers.
Dental therapists who work in the public sector may be required to work anywhere in their state or territory, although individual preferences and applications for specific positions are taken into account.
Personal Requirements:
- good hand-eye coordination
- able to do precise and detailed work
- good communication skills
- able to establish rapport with children
- able to work as part of a team.
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